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DEBUNKING MYTHS
Common Myths about Homelessness Debunked by Facts and Evidence
![People Speaking (1).png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/02e670_4349a131bf8b42e1ba5159f09192ed4e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_900,h_632,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/People%20Speaking%20(1).png)
I DON'T SEE A LOT OF HOMELESS
PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY,
THERE IS NOT A HOMELESS CRISIS HERE
THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ON LONG ISLAND ARE UNSEEN.
Myth
Fact
Over 90% are living in emergency shelters and not living outside. Of those living outside, the majority are living in tents in the woods, or living in their vehicles, with only a very small number being seen by community members in locations such as train stations, libraries, parks, in shopping centers and in front of businesses. Homelessness exists in every community across Long Island. On an given night there are more than 3,800 people experiencing homelessness, most of which are households of families with children. That number of people experiencing homelessness on LI is higher than most areas of the country, and people also experience homelessness, on average, for significantly longer periods of time than most places in the country. Homelessness on Long Island is often overshadowed by homeless in NYC which is much more visible. Many Long Islanders, unaware that homelessness is a crisis on Long Island, donate time, money, and resources to support homelessness in NYC.
MYTH
FACT